Bahrain’s Uprising Inspired by Islamic Revolution: Opposition Figure

The representative of prominent Shiite cleric Ayatollah Sheikh Issa Ahmed Qassem in Iran underlined that the 1979 Islamic Revolution have had a major impact on the popular uprising in Bahrain.

“The Islamic Revolution in Iran led by the late imam Khomeini had a great impact on Bahrain,” Sheikh Abdullah Daqqaq said in an interview with the Tasnim News Agency on Monday.He also emphasized that the Bahraini revolution is a peaceful uprising which has been inspired by the Islamic Revolution in 1979.“The Islamic Revolution of Iran displayed a tangible reality, which encouraged many Islamic nations including Bahrain to stage revolutions," the senior cleric noted.The Iranian nation toppled the US-backed Pahlavi regime 35 years ago, on February 11, 1979, ending the 2,500 years of monarchic rule in the country.The revolution, spearheaded by the late Imam Khomeini, established a new political system based on Islamic values and democracy.

The uprising in Bahrain began on February 14, 2011. Protesters initially called for political reforms and a constitutional monarchy. However, the demand later changed to an outright call for the ouster of the Al Khalifa family following its brutal crackdown on popular protests.Scores of people have been killed in the crackdown and security forces have arrested hundreds including doctors and nurses. Dozens of demonstrators have also been sentenced to jail terms for attending street protests.